'Scole finish the season with an entertaining and hard fought draw v Mattishall'

By Alan Boulter

Scole United fc 2 v 2 Mattishall fc

Scole rounded off a tough and challenging season with a difficult home fixture against Mattishall on Easter Bank Holiday Monday. It was a very changed line up from the Saturday due to the holidays and injuries and heralded the return of several players to the squad who have only played a handful of games for the 1st team this season including the return of Kevin Riches, Will Goulding and a rare cameo for Arun Lucraft. Asst Manager Ed Hipperson also took a place on the bench.Scole couldn't have got off to a worse start when a speculative long clearance from a Mattishall defender took an awkward bounce on the rock hard ground to loop over Josh Goodwin-Tallents head into the goal after just 30 seconds of playing! It is testament to the character of the young reserve goalkeeper that he recovered to make several good saves later in the game when he could quite easily have crumbled.During a busy 1st half Scole dominated possession and should really have had 1 or 2 goals but the home side seemed reluctant to take a chance and have shots and dallied to often allowing Mattishall to clear their lines. At half-time though Scole were full of confidence and the spirit was good and it needed to be as Mattishall scored an undeserved second 16 minutes into the second half when Scole were caught on their heels on the break. Scole hit back immediately when the very impressive Harry Rollingson latched onto to a great forward header from centre back Kev Riches to calmly chip the onrushing keeper for a lovely goal. Scole's tails were up now and they pressed the away side back with a number of corners and chances. Mattishall did have their moments and did hit the post when their striker finally escaped the grip centre halves Adam Solley and Kevin Riches but it was the introduction of striker Will Goulding that proved decisive when he scored the inevitable equaliser following yet another goalmouth scramble in the away side box in the final minute of normal time. Scole were hungry for the win and carried on pushing but sadly run out of time when it looked like they were finally going to get their just rewards.A very good final performance in caretaker manager Alan Boulter's reign which highlighted the fabulous spirit and fight that this squad of players has embraced during a challenging season which ends in a very respectable mid-table premier division finish.Thanks to assistant Ed Hipperson and former 1st team manager Ben Cussons for their help on the sidelines as well as reserves manager Paul Head, fixture secretary Bill Black, groundsman Steve Bartram and matchday assistants Peter Hugman & Gary Oakshott.